Donald Brown has knee surgery, expected to miss a few weeks

Posted by Josh Alper on October 10, 2012, 12:52 PM EDT

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The Colts will be adding a rookie running back next to their rookie quarterback in the starting lineup for the next few weeks.

Interim coach Bruce Arians announced Wednesday that running back Donald Brown underwent knee surgery this week and that he will miss the next two or three weeks as he recovers. According to Arians, via Phillip Wilson of the Indianapolis Star, Brown tore cartilage in his knee on the Colts’ final offensive play in Sunday’s comeback win against the Packers which necessitated a scope that will keep him out of the lineup for a bit.

Rookie Vick Ballard, a fifth-round pick this April, will start with Brown out of the lineup. Ballard has run for 42 yards on 21 carries this season but it wouldn’t be the most surprising thing in the world to see him wind up holding onto his increased playing time when Brown returns to action. Brown is a holdover from the old regime while Ballard was one of several selections by General Manager Ryan Grigson to fill a role on the offense going forward. Delone Carter and Mewelde Moore could also see action in the Colts backfield while Brown rehabs his knee.

The Colts will be attempting to improve to 3-2 when they play the Jets this Sunday.